In the Midst of the Apocalypse, Preach!*

And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations (Mt. 24:14).

This verse about proclaiming the good news is found in the midst of wars and famines and earthquakes and false prophets and persecution and lawlessness.  All of these are things that are predicted by Jesus before the end will come.

In our own time, we could make a list that might include many of the same things: a pandemic, and cyclones, and drought, and protests, and lawlessness, and wars, and many people being led astray.  And in the midst of all of this? – Share the good news!  Share the love of God through Jesus in as many ways as we possibly can!

Now, I am well aware that this whole idea of sharing the good news is terrifying to many people.  We have images of televangelists asking for money and forced conversions and people knocking on your door at inconvenient times and possibly even preachers standing on street corners.  We are also afraid that we wouldn’t know what to say.

However, let’s turn this around for just a moment.  What if somebody were to ask you what you believe and why?  Would you be able to answer them?  Would you be able to tell them what God has done for you through Jesus and why you have put your faith in him?

Some would talk about this as “giving your testimony.”  When we think about giving our testimony in a court case, this often involves relating what we have seen or heard, or explaining what we believe to be true and why.  This is what a witness is asked to do.

In the same way, our testimony about Jesus would include things that we have seen and heard and experienced that have convinced us of his presence and power.  It might also include some of God’s promises to us through Jesus – like forgiveness, and abundant life, and reconciliation, and resurrection.

However, unlike in a courtroom, sharing the good news doesn’t always involve talking.  You have probably heard that actions speak louder than words!  Talking at somebody who really needs you just to listen doesn’t really help.  In the same way, somebody who is starving needs food rather than a sermon.  And sometimes people just need to know that somebody actually cares about them.

The thing is that, just as preaching does not just “happen,” so we are never asked to share the good news about Jesus without some outside help.  Instead, we are encouraged to listen to the Holy Spirit, opening ourselves to God’s little nudges (and even big nudges!) that point us toward those who most need to hear and experience some good news.

We are promised that the Holy Spirit will give us the words when we need them.  We are promised that the Spirit will guide us and teach us and give us the gifts that are needed for ministry.  We are promised that the Spirit even prays for us when we don’t have the words.  And so, breathe deeply.  Breathe deeply and be aware of the Spirit and the breath.  For, God continues to empower us to share God’s love – even in the midst of a 100-year pandemic.

In Christ,

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

*The title and biblical reference come from a presentation by Rev. William Willimon.